Journalism Awards for SWFL Journalists

Journalists from Southwest Florida were among those honored recently in the Society of Professional Journalists Sunshine State Awards.

Four Southwest Florida journalists were honored with Special Category Awards that were open to journalists from all media statewide.

— Fort Myers News-Press journalists Janine Zeitlin and Melanie Payne were honored with a first place “Diversity Award” for their series “Dreaming in Color” for which they interviewed more than 50 community members to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Fort Myers Weekly journalist Athena Ponushis was named “Journalist of the Year” for a collection of her work.

— WatchdogCity.com journalist Gina Edwards received a second place “First Amendment Foundation Freedom of Information Award” for her story “Risky, secretive private equity investments cost Florida Pension fund $1 billion on six deals” that she produced after her six months of persistent efforts to require pension managers to public records.

In the general categories for various media, the News-Press won 12 awards, the Naples Daily News won 3 awards, and WBBH NBC-2 won two awards. For the complete list: CLICK HERE.